Liquid cooler



May a, 1941.

u. E. COONS 2,241,186

LIQUID COOLER Filed March 16, 1940 2 Sheets She fc 1 fizz/67122): I Zgjal Z Coons May 6, 194'1. 0. E. COONS LIQUID COOLER Filed March; 16, 1949 2 Sheqts-Shet 2 Q W be Q Patented May 6, 1941 LIQUID COOIER um E. Coons, Chicago, m., assignor to Brown Engineering Corporation, Qhicago, 111., a comration of Illinois Application March 16, 1940, Serial No. 324,305

- 8 Claims.

The invention relates to fluid coolers, and

more particularly it relates to improved apparatus for lowering the temperature of water and other liquids in accordancewith the methods described in my United States PatentNo. 2,107,053, issued February 1, 1938.

The invention has as one of its objects the provision of an improved apparatus for reducing the temperature of water and other liquids below their freezing point without permitting the liquids to freeze, this being accomplished by causing the liquids to flow through a refrigerant at a rate such that freezing does not occur.

The invention has as another of its objects the provision of improved apparatus by. means of which water and other liquids and fluids may be moved through a refrigerant at successively increased velocities, the velocities being correspondingly accelerated as the liquids become colder and at a rate such that the liquids or fluids will retain their fluidity although cooled to temwater to reach a temperature of 30 F. without freezing.

Still another object of the invention is to generally improve refrigerating apparatus of the ldnd described and to provide apparatus which is inexpensive to manufacture, durable, easily manipulated, economical I in operation and satisfactory for it intended purpose.

- Many other objects and advantages of the invention herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end, my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 a diagrammatic view of apparatus embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. '2 is an elevational view, partially in section, of a tank providing a container for a retfrlgerant having a multiplex system of tubes positioned in accordance'with the principles of the invention;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view partially in section further illustratingv the container and tubes shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 isa view along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a view along the line 55 of Fi 2,

but drawn to a smaller scale; and

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the path of fluid to be cooled as it is passing through one of a plurality of tubular members each arranged to provide a plurality of concentric telescoping helicals, the diameters of said conduits being smaller at their discharge than at their receiving ends with selected lengths thereof having successively smaller diameters in the direction of flow.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing s, the invention is illustrated as embodied in apparatus including a tank I0 providinga container for a fluid refrigerant such as freon, ammonia, sulphur dioxide, or the like. The apparatus, illustrated diagrammaticallyin Fig. 1, includes in addition to the tank It, a compressor 9 connected with the top of the tank at its rear I end by a pipe I2 for conducting vaporized refrigerant from the tank to the compressor. A pipe l3 also provides a conduit connecting the compressor 9, through a condenser II, with the frontend of the tank Hi, the pipe preferably opening into the tank at an elevation corresponding approximately with the elevation of the lons' tudinal axis of the tank. A main fluid delivery pipe It provides a conduit through which a centrifugal pump l5 forces liquidto be cooled from a source not showninto a plurality of tubular members or tubes projecting from the front end of the tank l0. Any suitable number of the tubes maybe used and in the drawings, three are illustrated, these being generally designated by the numerals l6, l1, and I8, respectively.

The' tank In preferably extends horizontally as shown and rests upon supporting members 20.

The front end lil of the tank Iii is fastened to the main body thereof by bolts 2| to permit its removal for access to the interior of the tank.

' A gasket 22 positioned between the flange of the tank and the end ,l! is so arranged as to pro- I vide a fluid-tight seal for the joint.

The delivery ends of the tubes l6, I'I,-and l8 each extends through a sleeve 23 threaded into the end IQ of the tank. The sleeves 23 contain packing 24 compressed against the tubes by means of caps 25 to prevent leakage of refri erant fluid through the sleeves. The tank ll scription thereof is omitted.

The tubes l5, l1, and I8 are each respectively arranged to provide a plurality of connected concentric telescoping helicals, extending substantially the full length of the tank Hi. The three outer helicals respectively provided by the tubes l6, l1, and I 8 are directly connected with the centrifugal pump [5 through the main pipe Hi and each consists of a plurality of coils preferably all of equal diameter, the coils of the three helicals being respectively designated as Ilia, Ila, and la. The three helicals next smaller in diameter provided by the tubes IE, IT, and i8 consist of coils of equal diameter, the coils of the three helicals being respectively designated by the numerals 1,627, Nb, and I8b. Likewise, a plurality of coils I60, i 10, and l8c all of equal diameter and respectively provided by the tubes [8, l1, and I8 form three helicalsnext smaller in diameter than the helicals provided by the coils having the subscript 17. Similarly, the three helicals next smaller in diameter than those pro-' vided by the coils having the subscript c consist of coils all of equal diameter respectively designated by the numerals id, "11, and 18d. The three helicals having the smallest diameter consist of coils of equal diameter, the coils comprising the three helicals being respectively desig- He are respectively connected at the rear end of the tank with the three corresponding helicals consisting of coils Hid, Nd, and lad by means of tube sections respectivelydesignated by l6h, I'Ih,

and l8h. Similarly, the three helicals respectively consisting of coils I611, lid, and lad are respectively connected at the front end of the tank with the three smallest helicals consisting of coils lGe, He, and He by means of tube sections respectively designated by the numerals l6i,-- Hi, and I81. The rear ends of the three helicals consisting of the coils Hie, He, and We are respectively connected by tube sections I67, l'lj, and I87 with straight tube sections 86k, "k, and lilk. The three tube sections having the subscripts k are shown as arranged in compact triangular relation and are positioned approximately in the middle of and extend longitudinally from the rear of the tank III to project through the front end 19 thereof. Since the contents of the sections I670, ilk and I8]: have reached the lowest possible temperature, one advantage of the sections being straight is that the contents are rapidly evacuated. Anothenadvantage is that the sections are adapted for and may be used as mandrels aboutwhich the tubes are curved in forming the helicals. The spacingsbetween the provides threaded annularflanges 26 providing coils comprising the various helicals, the radial spacing between the respective helicals and the spacing of the inner straight tubes having the subscript 70 from each other and from the inner helical are such as to produce maximum efiiciency in cooling.

The tube sections l67c, llk, and I870, extend through sleeves 23' mounted in the end IQ of the tank, the sleeve space surrounding the tubes being made fluid-tight by packing 24 compressed by caps 2! against the respective tubes and encompassing sleeves. The projecting ends of the tube sections IBIc, -IIk, and lillc are connected with a main discharge pipe 28 leading to a refrigerator or other cooling element where the fluid contents of the pipe absorb heat. If the fluid content of the pipe 28 is utilized solely as a heat transferring medium; it may be returned to the centrifugal pump 15 from the refrigerator or cooling element by a conduit not shown for recirculation through the helicals. The apparatus is especially adapted for use in cooling water below freezing so that it may be utilized by bakers in preparing dough at low temperatures as well as for numerous other uses wherein low temperature liquids are desirable.

The pitch of the three helicals respectively consisting 'of coils l6a, Ila, and We is the same and is such that the coils of these helicals are each positioned as shown between and concentric with the corresponding coils of the other two helicals. The other groups of three helicals which respectively consist of coils having subscripts b, c, d, and 6, also have their coils arranged and positioned as described for the coils consisting of the outer helicals having the designating subscript a so that each of the coils of each group of helicals is positioned between corresponding coils formed by a. different tube.

Each group of three helicals comprising coils of the same diameter are separated from the next adjacent group of helicals by spacer bars 29 extending longitudinally of the tank. The diameters of the coils comprising the different groups of helicals is such that cylindrical spaces of substantially uniform radial dimensions are provided between the various groups of helicals, the dimensions of the spaces being relatively small as shown so that a substantial portion of the tank capacity or volume is occupied by a relatively large number of substantially equally spaced coils, the described spacing and arrangement being such as to utilize the refrigerant in a manner conducive to maximum efliciency for transfer of heat.

In order that liquidmay be cooled below its freezing point, as set out in the above designated patent, it is necessary that the velocity of the liquid through the coils be accelerated as the liquid is cooled to prevent it from freezing. The receiving end of the tubesli, I1, and I8 and the outer group of helicals are of a uniform inner diameter, as shown, which for the purpose of description may herein be considered as one inch. The acceleration of velocity is accomplished by having the inner diameter of the tubes comprise ing the two next smaller groups of telescoping helicals uniform and smaller than the inner di-' ameter of the outer group of helicals and larger than the inner diameter of the two inner groups of helicals, the diameters of the latter being likewise shown as uniform. The amount the inner diameters of the coils should be decreased inv the direction of flow of the liquid to obtain maximum} efliciency in cooling liquid contents of the tubes Letters Patent is:

portionof thetubetlirougnwhichthcfiuidis.

below freezing point depends upon a number of factorsnottobesetoutinordertoex initiallypassedandlarfgerthanthediameter plain the invention. However, it is found in practice that use of the apparatus with emmonia as a refri erant is hi -ancient inap-v paratus having the inner diameters of the tubes successively diminished so that the cross sectional jacent the discharge end of the tubes. wherein the temperature of the liquid contents has been 7 area of each tube is reduced approximately flfty reduced as low as pomble withoutfreezing and discharge of the refrigerant at the top and rear end of the tank where the liquid contents of the tubes has a relatively high temperature also contributes to the eiiiciency of the apparatus.

'lhus. it will be seen that the invention provides improved apparatus for cooling liquids and fluids below their normal freezing temperature without affecting the fluids. 7

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence, I do not wish to he understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and com-- bination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

WhatIclaimasnew anddesireto secure by 1. Apparatus of the ldnd described comprising a container for a refrigerant, a tube providing a conduit for passing fluid through the container,

said tube being arranged to provide a plurality of coils so connected as to form a plurality of concentric telescoping helicals, one end of said tube being adapted to deliver fluid to said helicals and the other end of said tube to discharge fluid therefrom, the delivery end of the tube and the coiled portion thereof through which the Ed initially flows having a larger inner diamcte'r' than the discharge end of said tube and the coiied portionthereof through which'thc fluid is passed immediately before its discharge, said delivery end comprising a straight section extending through the central region and being connected that the fluid from said outer helical having the largest coils, thence throu'gh fluidity of such liquids or of that portion of the tube through which the fluid is finally as aforesaid.

3. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a container for a refrigerant, a tube providing a conduit for passing fluid through the container, said tube being arranged to provide a plurality ofcoiissoconnectcdsstoform'apluralityof telescoping helicals, one end of said tube being adapted to receive and to deliver fluid into the larger of said helical-s and the other end being 'adapte'dtodischargefluidfromtheinnerofsaid helicals, the innerdiflm r of the receiving end of'the tube and a selectedlength of'coiled portion thereof through which the fluid B initially passed being uniform, and the inner diameter of other selected portions being uniform, said inner diameters of the tube being successively smallerinthedirecflonofflow.

4. Apparatus of thekind described comprising a container for -a refrigerant, inplurality of tubes each providinga conduit for passing fluid through the container, said tubes eachbeing arranged to provide a plurality of coils so connected as to which the fluldflnally flows. assembledinthecontainerwiththecon'esponding helicals of each tube having their coils interposedbetweenthesimilarcoilsoftheother' tubesthereceivingendofeachtubeandthe coiled portion thereof through which initially imving a larger inner diameter thantheinnerdiameterofitsdischargeendand the coiled porflon thereof through which the fluid isilnally I telescoping helicals, means connected with one end of said tube operable-to deliver fluid togthe outer one of said helicals, said helicals being so the helical having the next largest ccilsand so on sequentially until it through the helical having the smallest coils and from which the fluid is finally discharged from thecontainer,

the fluid receiving end of the tube and the coiled portion thereof through which the fluid passed, the'portion of the tube throu h which the fluid'is intermediately passed having an inner diameter smaller than the diameters of that s. Apparatusofthekinddescrfliedcomprlsing a containerforarcir s hapluralityoftubes 'eachprovidingaconduitforfluidthrough the contamensaidtubseachbeingto provide a pluralityof coils so connected asto form a plurality of concentric connected telescopinghelicalaeachofsaidtubcsprovidingthe, samenumherdhelicalahelicals ofeachtubehavingthesamediameterandpitch andbeingcfsubstanflallythesamelengthsaid tubes being in the container with the coilsofhelicalsconcentricand- .sagetherethroughandtheotherendofeachof 6. Apparatmofthcklnd h comprising acontainerfcrarefrigu'antaplmalityofhibcs eachprovidingacuiduitforpassingfllfldthrmgh' the containensaidtubeseachbeingarranccd toprovidc a'plurality of coik so connected as smicessivelyinthedi ,rectionofflow.

telescoping helicals, each or said tubes providing the same number of helicals, corresponding helicals of each tube having the same diameter and pitch and being of substantially the same length, said tubes being assembled in the container with the coils of corresponding helicals concentric and positioned between and extending spirally parallel to the coils of the corresponding helicals provided by the other tubes, one end of each of said tubes being adapted to receive fluid for passage therethrough and the other end of each of said tubes being adapted to discharge fluid so delivered, means operable to simultaneously deliver fluid to the receiving ends oi. said tubes, selected sections of each tube in the order in which fluid flows therethrough having uniform inner diameters, said inner diameters of the tubes being successively smaller in the direction of flow, the discharge end of said tubes extending through the central region and being arranged substantially symmetrical to the longitudinal axis of said' helicals.

7. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a container for a refrigerant, a tube providing a conduit for passing fluid through the container,

. portion thereof through which the fluid initiallyto form a plurality of concentric connected said tube being arranged to provide a plurality of coils so connected. as to form a plurality of concentric telescoping helicals, one end of said tube being'adapted to deliver fluid to. said helicalsand the other end of said tube to discharge fluid therefrom, the delivery end of the tube having a larger inner diameter than the discharge end thereof, and the coils provided by said delivery end being larger in diameter than the coils comprising said discharge end.

' 8. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a horizontally extending cylindrical container for a refrigerant, a tube providing a conduit for passing fluid longitudinally back and forth through the container, said tube being arranged to provide a plurality of coils so connectedfas to form a plurality of concentric horizontally extending helicals, one end of said tube being adapted to deliver fluid to said helicals and the other end of said tube to discharge fluid therefrom, the delivery end 01 the tube and the coiled flows having a larger inner diameter than the discharge and of said tube and the coiled portion thereof through which the fluid is passed immediately before it is discharged.

a UZAL E. COONS. 

